<% ballot="49486" ' Check nothing is broken broken = 0 if ballot = "" then broken = 1 end if set vt = Server.Createobject("mps.Vote") openresult = vt.Open("Vote", "sa", "") ' Created object? if IsObject(vt) = TRUE then ' Opened db? if openresult = True AND broken = 0 then ballotresult = vt.SetBallotName(ballot) ' read the vote votetotal=(vt.GetVoteCount(ballot, "yes")+vt.GetVoteCount(ballot, "no")) if votetotal <> 0 then ' there are votes in the database numberyes = vt.GetVoteCount(ballot, "yes") numberno = vt.GetVoteCount(ballot, "no") percentyes = Int((numberyes/votetotal)*100) percentno = 100 - percentyes ' fix graph so funny graph heights dont appear 'if percentyes = 0 then ' percentyes = 1 'end if 'if percentno = 0 then ' percentno = 1 'end if else ' summut went wrong frig it numberyes = 0 numberno = 0 percentyes = 50 percentno = 50 end if end if end if %> Votes so far:

100% 0%			>		>
			Yes: <% =percentyes %>%		No: <% =percentno %>%

Functional numeracy is necessary, but we need to examine what we teach carefully. Children should be encouraged to make effective and efficient use of IT. Many abstract concepts are irrelevant and should only be taught at an appropriate stage.
Jennifer Clark, Scotland

I am an employee in industry, and everyday the need for math abilities exists in all phases. Even with calculators and computers, one must understand the process to arrive at a correct conclusion.
Bill Davis, USA

Absolutlely! It is essential that these skill be taught in school. I do not claim that every one of the students needs to be taught Geometry or Trig but how can someone function in society if they can not even make change without a calculator? I see construction workers being required to make calculations every day of the week that exercises skills they must have to properly roof a house or layout a floor plan. Math teaches concepts as well as practical items and our children must have math.
Douglas R. Walker, USA

There are many reasons why maths should be taught at primary school. One of these is that it is an important tool for many subjects at a higher level, for example, Engineering, Physics and many others.
Some may say that it is only really of importance for these specialist subjects, and therefore should only be taught specifically for them. This is fine in theory, but in acual fact it takes time to come to an understanding of the concepts involved, even simple ones like 1 + 1 = 2.
This may seem very obvious, but when you think of how long you had to sit with your hundreds, tens and units to make it obvious, it becomes clear that it takes time to form even these basic concepts. And these are formed way before we have any idea of whether we want to do Engineering at University. Also bear in mind that we can form concepts with greater ease when we are young.
Ben Lings, England

With reference to your article. How can anyone question spelling under exam conditions? I know they are English students but exams are a pressure situation which do not occur in the real world. Before slagging students off this lecturer should compare their spelling in an Oxford exam with their spelling outside the exam. All he has proved is that their spelling is poor in an exam and this is not proving that they can't spell. Perhaps he should go back to school and take a course on proofs.
Ian Morton, Scotland Mental maths is important, but so are investigative and logical skills. There is no need to abandon child-centred approaches, but a balance is needed.
Tris Bray, England

Maths is an underlying tool in all science and engineering, without it, we have noe analytical techniques at all. The basic maths learnt at primary school gives us an understanding of numbers that reaches far into our later life.
Sam Moore, UK

I think learning basic maths is very important. It teaches you logic, reasoning and memory skills.
Philippa Adam, England

As a maths teacher I have to say yes or i'll lose my job...
D Tuhey, UK

The recent ice storms in Canada and New England are an illustration of just how fragile our technology is. With no power for the computers and batteries being scavanged for flashlights, people needed to use their heads to calculate how much water they need to buy to get through a week(multiplication) or how to ration their woodpile(division). All it takes is one natural disaster to leave you counting on your toes again...
John Barstow, USA

Mathematics is the core of the physical sciences, and the physical sciences are more and more important in today's world. Most people will not directly use the higher mathematics, but everyone will at one time or another need to know algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and the other lower mathematics. While calculators and computers are a useful convenience, a true understanding of the answers one gets requires an understanding of the mathematics behind the answer.
Joel Stanley, USA

I agree with the statement that Maths is the mother of reasoning. It is also true that maths of higher standards, covering Calculas, Dynamics, Statics, 3D-Geometry, etc. are not used much in general life by people, but the basic algebra and basic geometry are the essence of Reasoning and usually make base for the logical understanding also. I suggest that the course of maths education should be set in such a manner that the basic mathematics which is commonly used in general life and the branches of it which are supposed to be building blocks of reasoning and logic should be made compulsory while the advanced Mathematics should be eliminated, even from the general course of the bachelor's degree of Science.
Vijay Kumar Joshi, India

I believe that the knowledge of and ability to do mathematics is very important. It enables us to do so much more in life. Once we have mastered the basics there is so much more we can learn and do.
Sarah Peake, UK

Although I voted yes, I do NOT believe that math(s) needs to be taught to all at the levels that are required by our schools. I also have never had need of any math beyond the basic arithmetic that I learned in grammer school. However, in order to keep one's options open I would (and do) recommend to young people to achieve in math at their own highest possible levels. Tis better to have and not need than to need and not have.
K Penney, Canada

The ability to understand mathematical reasoning is becoming increasingly important.It is our last defense against manipulation and dubious claims based on authority rather than substance and validity of arguments.
Frank Hansen, Denmark

Mathematics is an essential tool for not only students, but for all of us. Learning mathematics is more then just subtracting and dividing numbers. It teaches us problem solving techniques, which need not only be applied to Mathematical Problems. Life is full of unexpected problems, the more equipped we are to deal with them , the more successful our solutions will be.
Daniel Muchow, Australia

Maths is the basic requirement in our day to day lives. It is largely used in engineering and in every field. Its not just arithmetic that we can do in our calculators. It needs a lot of understanding and ractice.
Krishnan Oman

Children who don't learn maths in school become adults who can't count change when the till stops working. Also, anyone contemplating a career in science or engineering had better have the basics down cold if they expect to progress to higher mathematics.
Steven Robinson, USA (British expatriat)

When properly conducted, mathematics education teaches crucial logical skills, not just facts and tables. Perhaps mathematics should be taught in different tracks - practical and academic - but if the question is really "Do We Still Need to Learn Maths?," the answer is clear.
To contend that a calculator or computer changes the answer is equivalent to claiming that we need no longer teach literature classes since books-on-tape are readily available. People may feel that they never use the mathematics they have taken, but they are simply wrong. Just as their lives have been affected by what they have read (though they don't remember every word), they have been affected by their formal mathematical training (though they did not "understand" it all).
T. Christopher Bond, USA

As a scientist, I use algebra on a day to day basis. In order to understand fully science, one must understand the basic principles of math. Therefore, such an education is not a waste of time unless you want to stop making scientific advances. Don't quit teaching math unless you want to severely restrict the choices your children will have.
Furthermore, it is important for the average citizen to understand the scientific discoveries taking place. Someone with little or no understanding of math would certainly not understand the true power of "DNA fingerprinting". Yet, such people will occassionaly find themselves on jurys where such evidence is central to the case.
Another important use of basic math comes into play when reading a food label. Here at least, the serving size listed is often not realistic for the average person. Therefore, basic multiplication is needed. It is ridiculous to carry around a calculator for such an endeavour. These are just two examples of everyday people needing math skills.
Eric Thompson, USA

I can remember the "I'll never use it in the real world" cry of the lazy students as early as my elementary school days. Math trains the mind to think. Higher concepts, such as statistics, help us understand cause-effect relationships in the world. Every profession will use mathematic concepts in some form.
Douglas Stevens, USA

It teaches the brain to work in a logical manner to determine the solution to a problem, using a common formula or method of approaching a problem.
Philip Robertson, England

A basic grounding in mathematics is as useful and necessary as a basic grounding in grammar or science. The BBC would never appoint someone who couldn't spell but they seem happy to appoint those who can't cope with simple mathematics.
Although, in a country where a judge recently ruled that lawyers could not explain the statistical basis for some information on probabilities because it was "counter-intuitive" we shouldn't be too surprised if "educated people" can't cope with simple sums.
Martin McGrath, UK

An understanding of numbers and the ability to manipulate them without recourse to electronic aids should be considered fundamental life skills. As an engineer, I see frighteningly few people who can even begin to comprehend the technological complexity they are immersed in, and rely totally upon.
The key to understanding our modern world is maths and we should insist that our education system makes every possible effort to ensure that we all enter productive life with a copy of that key.
Mike McMahon, Australia

It's interesting how everything relates. In recent weeks, you've posted stories about a skills shortage in Britain. It's the same here. Companies are offering outrageous compensation to technical workers, yet the positions remain unfilled. These jobs are rewarding, low-stress, and most of the time, simply fun. So why the shortage? People are afraid of math.
John Evans, USA

Math is the mother of reasoning! And reasoning is neccesary for every single subject. But could be better if math is teached in a more applied context instead of just formulas and numbers.
Pablo Lledo, Argentina

I don't trust a calculator unless I have done the sum in my head as well. It's comfirmation of the answer, and with more complicated numbers I estimate the answer in my head, and the calculator does the exact work. You shouldn't rely on a computer, or your brain will go soft.
Bob Eggington, Richmond, Surrey

It is disastrous for anyone not to be able to calculate mentally even the smallest amounts. Why anyone would wish to rely on a piece of gadgetry when they are born with a superb brain is beyond comprehension.
M. Brimacombe, Devon, UK

What about the dealers on the floor of the City institutions, like LIFFE and the LME? They have to make instant calculations in their head, so knowledge of maths is compulsory.
Anyway, numbers are such a core concept in life, it should be taught in schools.
Stephen Peters, UK

I suspect that the real question here, as with spelling, is "Should teachers have to put in a real effort teaching traditional subjects - subjects in which they're not all that skilled themselves - when it's just that much easier to denigrate them?" Innumeracy is ignorance, and culpable ignorance is stupidity. I'm middle-aged, and I learned maths the 'traditional' way. I'm appalled at how innumerate successive generations have become.
John Luby, Scotland

What happens if the World runs out of batteries and we can't remember how to do mathematics?
Pepe Tozzo, England

Maths enable a person to digitise his thought and so that he can be more analytical and make better quicker decisions.Those who give up Maths in school nearly always regret their actions when they become adults.
ckwong, Malaysia

I have suffered through Algebra, that I was compelled to take. I will never use in it life. Although I believe basic Math skills are appropriate for daily necessities - checkbooks & budgets - I think Algebra and the higher Maths should be the reserve of those who choose it.
Elizabeth Browning, USA

Maths is very important, and so perhaps peoples anger against learning could be attacked properly by different and new ways to teach it?
Henri Duvall, France

Maths is Useful. Maths and a screwdriver are both tools, but there is a vital difference. Whenever you use a screwdriver you are *aware* that you are using it and so you feel a screwdriver is useful. However the situation with maths is not so clear.
Firstly, the usefulness of maths falls into two parts, (a)mathematical facts and techniques, (b)an effect on the mind and the way it works. When you use (a) you are *aware* you are using maths, but tasks needing (a) can often be done by calculators and computers and so the maths looks unnecessary.
On the other hand, when you use (b) you are usually *unaware* of the part maths has played in developing your mind sufficiently for you to do the job. So although maths is useful, particularly in the vital area of clear thinking, its usefulness is not appreciated.
Keith Austin, UK

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